Athiyaman (Sathiyaputhra)


Athiyaman were an ancient line of rulers based in Thagadur, present day Dharmapuri, in northern Tamil country, dating back to at least the 3rd century BCE. They were one of the four major powers of the Tamilakam during the second half of the first millennium BCE, bordered by the Cheras to the southwest and the Pandyas and Cholas to the south.
The Athiyamans are mentioned in early historic Tamil literature, as well as in inscriptions such as the edicts of the Maurya emperor Asoka and a Tamil-Brahmi cave record from Jambai. The Tamil-Brahmi inscription at Jambai, Tirukkoyilur, provide details of their sovereignty in the c. 1st century CE. The most well-known ruler of this dynasty was Neduman Anchi, who is listed as one of the kadai ezhu vallal in early historic Tamil literature.
Their rule is mentioned in the Gummireddipura plates, with the added title "Sathyaputhra" — meaning "Members of the Fraternity of Truth" — a term synonymous with the Chera dynasty. Vidukathazhagiya Perumal, a late 12th century AD century ruler of this family, is described as the descendant of a certain Ezhini, an Adigaman of the Chera family.

Inscriptional records

Inscriptions of Ashoka

The Maurya emperor Ashoka mentions the Athiyaman dynasty—as the Sathiyaputhras—in his inscriptions, alongside the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras. This suggests that the Athiyamans held significant importance in south India during Ashoka's time, on par with the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.

Jambai inscription

A Tamil-Brahmi inscription, generally dated to the 1st century CE, found at Jambai in Tirukkoyilur, Viluppuram district in Tamil Nadu, refers to the Athiyaman dynasty as the Sathyaputhras.
The inscription records the endowment of a cave-shelter by the ruler Athiyan Neduman Anchi, who bears the title "Sathiyaputho". It provides the names of his dynasty, his father, and himself. The Athiyan ruler Neduman Anchi mentioned in the inscription is also referenced in early historic Tamil works such as Purananuru and Akananuru. The discovery of this inscription enabled historians to identify the title "Athiyaman", found in early Tamil literature, with the "Sathiyaputras" mentioned in Ashoka's inscriptions.
The Gummireddipura plates also mention the Sathyaputhra Adigaman dynasty.